OTHER CURRENT LITIGATION AGAINST SHELL

Apart from the reserves related law suits, there are other pending US class action law suits against Shell.

One is in relation to Shell's admitted serious misconduct in Nigeria and another in relation to tainted Shell gasoline sold in several US states.

In addition, at the beginning of June 2004, a US Federal Appeals Court reinstated a lawsuit accusing Shell Oil Co. of operating a price-fixing conspiracy with a supposed competitor.

Shell is also facing pollution related law suits in Texas, relating to its operations in Port Arthur, in the Philippino capital Manila, and in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where  Shell stands accused of contaminating drinking water and causing very serious health problems, including cancers, infertility and respiratory diseases.

(see: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/behind_the_shine_the_real_22062004.html)

Also: BBC2 TV "Newsnight": Can Shell placate environmental critics? “Hilton Kelley claims Port Arthur has been "devastated by pollution". "We had a great community one time," says Hilton Kelley "Sandwich shops, taxi stands, nightclubs - we had all these things. Now it's devastated by pollution. "Many of the residents have died from cancer - kids have moved away - they no longer want to live here." Hilton, together with 1,200 residents of Port Arthur, has launched a class action lawsuit against Shell, claiming breach of environmental human rights. So what are the facts?” (ShellNews.net) Posted 16 Nov 04

Click on the link below to read a news story from 3rd August 2004 concerning Shell's alleged pollution in Nigeria. An extract: "Once a placid rural community of prosperous fishermen and farmers but now an ecological waste land reeking of sulphuric acid. Its creeks and waters poisoned by indiscriminate dumping of chemical wastes.

ThisDayOnline:Toxic Waste: Group Demands N200m Compensation from Shell: “The once beautiful land is no longer a source of fresh air and green vegetation. All one sees and feels now is death."

On 17 September 2004 there was a news report (see below) that the U.S. State of Illinois is suing a Shell subsidiary for allegedly contaminating a landfill site with benzene - a chemical linked to cancer.  

ABC7Chicago.com: Illinois sues Shell Pipeline Co.

Other news reports of litigation involving Shell: -

The Boston Herald: Appeals court reinstates gas price-fixing lawsuit against Shell, ChevronTexaco: "SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court on Tuesday reinstated a lawsuit accusing ChevronTexaco Corp. and Shell Oil Co. of operating a price-fixing conspiracy" (ShellNews.net) 2 June 04

The Wall Street Journal: US Court Reinstates Shell, ChevronTexaco Price Fixing Suit (ShellNews.net) 2 June 04

The Wall Street Journal: Florida Drivers Sue Shell Over High-sulfur Gasoline (ShellNews.net) 2 June 04

MetroWest Daily News: A Shell game? Former service station operator sues oil giants: “Court filings at the U.S. District Court in Boston outline a pattern of deception and abuse by Suttill's former bosses that allegedly violates the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act, a federal law that protects gasoline retailers from heavy-handed practices of powerful, multibillion-dollar oil suppliers.”: “Motiva is co-owned by Houston-based Shell Oil Co. and the state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co., the world's largest oil producer" (ShellNews.net) 3 Oct 04

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Jiffy Lube Near Deal to Settle Lawsuits: “An Oklahoma judge is poised to approve a settlement of class-action lawsuits by drivers who say they were cheated when Jiffy Lube International Inc. added surcharges to their oil-change bills over the past five years.”: “The settlement would close at least nine pending class-action cases from California to New Jersey2: “Jiffy Lube, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil Co., won't say how much the settlement will cost.”

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL/DOW JONES NEWSWIRES: Jiffy Lube Nears Deal To Settle Consumer Lawsuits: "It was just a straight rip-off for $1.25 every time someone came in," said Scott R. Shepherd, a Pennsylvania attorney who sued the company”: “Jiffy Lube, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil Co…”: “Marc A. Wites, a Florida lawyer, said it would cover only 8 million of the 34 million people who paid the surcharge.”

AFX Europe (Focus): Shell admits role in EU bitumen investigation: “Royal Dutch/Shell Group said it is involved in the European Commission's investigation into alleged cartel-forming in the bitumen market. In late 2002 the commission raided the offices of a number of oil companies including Shell…”: "We are concerned about this issue," said Rein Williams, president of Shell Nederland BV. "We should not have been present at these meetings and we regret our connection to this case."

Compliance Reporter: Royal Dutch/Shell Merger Plan Called 'Inadequate': ““It is a timid, inadequate step forward," said attorney William Lerach, who in June sued executives and board members of the firms, demanding that they be held accountable for the huge fines and excessive bonuses resulting from repeated fraudulent claims of the companies' proven reserves.”: “They are proposing to go from a very bad, very dysfunctional corporate governance structure to a conventionally bad single corporate governance arrangement,” said Lerach.”

BLOOMBERG Nov 4/04: Shell, ChevronTexaco Are Accused of Fixing Gas Prices (Update1):  Shell Oil Co., ChevronTexaco Corp., and a unit of Saudi Aramco were sued by a group of gasoline dealers who claim the companies conspired to fix the price of fuel sold to about 20,000 service stations nationwide.”: “The suit in Manhattan federal court claims that in 1996, senior officers of Saudi Refining Inc., ``Shell and Texaco met and entered into an agreement to raise, fix, peg and stabilize the price of motor fuel sold to Shell and Texaco dealers.''

Houston Chronicle (Nov 4/04): Gas stations allege price fixing in suit: “Shell Oil, ChevronTexaco and a unit of Saudi Aramco were sued by gasoline dealers who claim the companies conspired to fix the price of fuel sold to about 20,000 service stations nationwide.”: Karyn Leonardi-Cattolica, a spokeswoman for Houston-based Shell, the U.S. arm of the Royal Dutch-Shell Group, had no immediate comment.”

The Boston Globe: Mass. franchisees hit Shell in lawsuit: They say company tried to drive them out of business: “The case, brought by eight Massachusetts franchisees, could affect agreements with thousands of Shell franchise owners across the country.”: “Greenberg, of the Boston law firm Greenberg Traurig, argued that Shell's goal was to drive independent operators out of business as part of a corporate strategy by the world's third-largest oil company to boost profits by increasing the number of company-owned and operated gas stations.” (ShellNews.net) 16 Nov 04

The Boston Herald: Shell tried to shutter indy pumps, lawyer says: “A long-awaited trial, expected to last about three weeks, began with plaintiffs' attorney Gary R. Greenberg arguing before a federal jury in opening statements that Shell was jacking up rents and wholesale gas prices in an attempt to take over dealers' stations.” (ShellNews.net) 16 Nov 04

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Jury rules for franchisees in Shell trial: 8 station operators in Mass. awarded $3.3m in damages: “A federal jury awarded more than $3 million to eight Massachusetts gas station operators after finding Shell Oil Co. used unfair tactics that were effectively intended to drive them out of business.”: “The case was also important to the world's third-largest oil company, which has agreements with thousands of franchises nationwide.”: “The jury voted yes to the question of whether Shell ''in bad faith" set wholesale gasoline prices ''that were not commercially reasonable," court documents said.” (ShellNews.net) 9 Dec 04

Telegram.com: Federal jury rules in favor of Shell franchisees, awards $3.3 million: “After a three-week trial, the jury found that Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies violated state and federal regulations by raising the price of wholesale gasoline to the dealers and ending a long-standing rent subsidy program. The franchisees sued four years ago, claiming Shell was attempting to drive them out of business so it could operate the stations itself.”; “The jury's $3.3 million award is likely to grow by millions when interest and attorneys fees are factored in, said the franchisees' lawyer, Gary Greenburg, who called the verdict a "total victory" for his clients.” (ShellNews.net) 9 Dec 04

BOSTON HERALD: Jury: Shell abused owners: Gas stations `vindicated' in ploy by big oil company: ``We've been vindicated,'' said Mike Corbett, owner of City Square Shell in Charlestown, a member of a group of area dealers who've been battling Shell for more than four years over control of their stations.  ``This is big for us. They beat us up for so many years. It was terrible what they did,'' he said. (ShellNews.net) 9 Dec 04

csnews.com (Convenience Store News): Jury Rules For Massachusetts Franchisees in Shell Trial: “A federal jury awarded more than $3 million to eight Massachusetts gas station operators after finding Shell Oil Co. used unreasonable tactics that were effectively intended to drive them out of business”: “The jury voted yes to the question of whether Shell ''in bad faith" set wholesale gasoline prices ''that were not commercially reasonable," court documents said.” (ShellNews.net) Posted 10 Dec 04

allAfrica.com: Ijaw Oppose Shell's Move to Transfer $1.5bn Lawsuit: “The Ijaw aborigines had through their political leaders and representatives, Chief Pere Ajuwa and Mr. Ingo Mac-Etteli instituted a $1.5 billion lawsuit against Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited in December 2000 as compensatory claims to the environmental degradation and multiple oil spillages arising from oil exploration” (ShellNews.net) Posted 24 Feb 05

THE LONDON TIMES: Need to Know: “Sweden’s Market Court has more than doubled the fines issued to five oil companies, including Royal Dutch/Shell, to 112 million Swedish crowns (£8.5 million) for taking part in a 1999 price-fixing cartel.” (ShellNews.net) 23 Feb 05

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Swedish Court Raises Fines For Five Gasoline Companies: “The Swedish Market Court Tuesday increased the fines against five oil and gas companies convicted of price fixing in Sweden in 2003”: “The court said Statoil ASA, Shell , OKQ8, Preem and Norsk Hydro ASA should pay a combined 112 million kronor ($1=SEK6.88716) for coordinating gas prices and discounts in 1999, more than doubling an original fine of SEK52 million set by the Stockholm District Court in 2003. The verdict is final and cannot be appealed. (ShellNews.net) Posted 23 Feb 05

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: US High Court Seeks Govt View Of Shell, Texaco Venture: “The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday sought the federal government's view on whether it should review an antitrust lawsuit over a 1998 joint refining agreement between Shell Oil Co. and Texaco Inc. The case stems from a challenge by gasoline station owners who contend the two companies illegally set the same wholesale gas prices for products made by the joint venture.” (ShellNews.net) Posted 23 Feb 05

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Judge Fines Motiva $10M in Tank Explosion: “Motiva, a joint supply venture between Shell and Saudi Refining…”: “…pleaded no contest to state charges of criminally negligent homicide…”: “The company… has paid more than $60 million to settle lawsuits”: “It is still the subject of a federal lawsuit…” (ShellNews.net) Posted 18 March 05

CBS MarketWatch: Shell refining unit to pay $10 million: “The fine stems from an incident on July 17, 2001 when 415,000-gallon tank exploded, spewing spent sulfuric acid, which contains flammable hydrocarbons, into the air. One worker was killed and many others were injured. The waste spilled into the Delaware River and killed thousands of fish and crabs.”: “The Justice Department noted that the $10 million criminal environmental fine is the largest in Delaware history.” (ShellNews.net) 18 March 05

Journal-News.com (Ohio): County signs off on $10M Shell settlement: “…the county’s claim contends the defendants knew the pipes were unsuitable for water service, misrepresented the quality of the piping, violated expressed and implied warranties, committed fraud, engaged in deceptive trade practices, and created a public nuisance” (ShellNews.net) 25 March 05

BBC NEWS: Shell guilty over gas leak deaths: “Oil giants Shell has admitted three charges over the deaths of two workers in the North Sea two years ago.” (ShellNews.net) 30 March 05

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Shell Lent Former Directors $12M For Legal Costs In 04: “Royal Dutch/Shell said in a filing released Thursday it was in settlement talks on some of the class action litigation unleashed after it was forced to reclassify its oil reserves” (ShellNews.net) 31 March 05

THE SCOTSMAN: Inquiry call as Shell admits safety breach in which two died: “Shell admitted the amended charges at Stonehaven Sheriff Court yesterday.”: “A spokesman said the firm had pleaded guilty to three amended charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act in relation to the incident. He said the company could not give out any further details as legal proceedings were ongoing.” (ShellNews.net) 31 March 05

Glasgow Evening Times: Union demands inquiry into two deaths on oil rig: “A UNION leader today called for a fatal accident inquiry after oil giant Shell admitted charges over the gas poisoning deaths of two Scots on a North Sea rig.” (ShellNews.net) Posted 1 April 05

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Shell earmarks $12m for legal aid: “Shell has been forced to lend $12m (£6.3m) for legal representation to former directors who may have been caught up in the company's oil reserves scandal. The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into last year's reserves restatement and a shareholder class action has been filed with the US District Court in New Jersey. (ShellNews.net) 1 April 05

FINANCIAL TIMES: Shell's chief executive lands 90% bonus in spite of cuts in reserves: “Jeroen van der Veer, chief executive of Royal Dutch/ Shell, was paid nearly €2.65m (£1.82m) in 2004, a year in which the Anglo/ Dutch oil and gas group had to cut its figures for proved reserves four times”: “The 20-F also revealed that Shell was in settlement discussions with counsel for plaintiffs in legal actions brought under the US Employment Retirement Security Act that it hoped would lead to a resolution. Shareholder class actions are also proceeding, as are separate actions against the company, directors and former directors.” (ShellNews.net) 1 April 05

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Shell earmarks $12m for legal aid: “Shell has been forced to lend $12m (£6.3m) for legal representation to former directors who may have been caught up in the company's oil reserves scandal. The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into last year's reserves restatement and a shareholder class action has been filed with the US District Court in New Jersey. (ShellNews.net) 1 April 05

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Shell Is in Settlement Talks Over Oil Reserves Scandal: “Royal Dutch/Shell Group said it is in settlement talks on some of the class-action litigation unleashed after it was forced to reclassify its oil reserves.” (ShellNews.net) 1 April 05

Daily Mail (UK): Shell hopes to iron out reserves lawsuit: “SHELL is in talks to settle one of the two major US lawsuits filed over last year's reserves scandal. It has begun talks with counsel for US pension funds and is hoping for a successful resolution, which would be a big step towards clearing up uncertainty. (ShellNews.net) 1 April 05

IPE.com: ABP expects compensation from Shell: “Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP, the largest Dutch fund, expects it could receive compensation from Shell following US legal action relating to the oil giant’s overstatement of its reserves. “We are following the developments,” said a scheme spokesman. “ABP expects that it can rely upon the fact that if a settlement is reached in the US, European investors also will be compensated.” (ShellNews.net) Posted 2 April 05

DAILY EXPRESS (UK): Shell's oil reserves drop extra Ibn barrels: “The company said it was aiming to settle one of the civil class action lawsuits resulting from the scandal. But it is still facing another class action and a criminal investigation from the US Department of Justice. (ShellNews.net) Posted 2 April 05

FINANCIAL TIMES: Ground water lawsuits warning: “Royal Dutch/Shell warned that US lawsuits linked to alleged contamination of ground water could have a "significant impact" on future results if successful.” (ShellNews.net) 2 April 05

Oil & Gas Journal: Shell Transport and Trading Company: Filing of the 2004 Form 20-F: “It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, but may be affected by a variety of variables which could cause actual results, trends or reserves replacement to differ materially, including… …potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves” (ShellNews.net) Posted 3 April 05

Latest news: SHELL PR DISASTER IN IRISH PIPELINE COURT BATTLE (last updated 3 July 2005)

ShellNews.net: A FOCUS ON SHELL’S UNETHICAL & RUTHLESS TREATMENT OF ITS MALAYSIAN EMPLOYEES: Saturday 16 July 2005: Read the article

Shell really is under fire like never before. 

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